Here's How You Can Stop Your Underarms from Sweating

Regardless of the season, some of us find ourselves having to deal with sweaty armpits whenever our pores see fit. To help you with this dilemma, here are derma-approved ways to keep those underarms dry:

1. Use anti-perspirants.

According to Dr. Windie Hayano of The Skin Inc. Dermatology and Laser Center, using anti-perspirant products is the most affordable way to keep sweat at bay. To address excessive sweating, she recommends using ones with aluminum chloride hexahydrate, a metal salt that blocks the pores to decrease sweat production. However, this may or may not cause irritation, so make sure to consult your dermatologist before using it. Once cleared by your derm, use only when necessary instead of applying everyday. Over-the-counter brands like Dove, Secret, and Vichy carry anti-perspirants with this ingredient.

2. Get botox.

Dr. Windie's preferred solution to sweaty armpits is botolinum toxin injections a.k.a. botox. But instead of smoothing out wrinkles like it does on the face, botox on the underarms temporarily shuts down sweat glands. "It is a very safe and effective treatment option, and administration is relatively painless if a topical anesthetic is applied," the derm explains. The effect is usually seen seven days after the injections and can last up to six months or longer. Do note that botox is only temporary, though, so you will have to go back to your doctor once the effect wears off.

3. Consider surgery.

Sweating may be normal, but excessive sweating can be linked to a chronic autonomic disorder called hyperhidrosis. If you sweat regardless of the weather or whenever you're undergoing a strenuous activity, you may want to consider consulting a doctor.

The dermatologist says that the procedural treatment for this disorder is surgery, where the patient can undergo either nerve denervation to liposuction, to removal of tissue from the sweat glands.

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For those who may be at risk of scarring or infections, however, alternative treatments are now available. There's MiraDry, a device that supposedly heats up our major sweat glands (eccrine and apocrine glands) and terminates them. According to Dr. Windie, the treatment Fractionated Microneedling Radio Frequency (FMRF), where microneedles send a radio frequency current to destroy sweat glands, is another option. Lastly, there's High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) like Ulthera and Ultraformer 3, which target sweat glands without disrupting the epidermis.